Pleasant riding today but not all on cycle paths. Still surprisingly cool – I’m told some bad weather may be on its way down the line.

Long night’s sleep in Bremen hostel. Some noise, Euro related but barely stirred. Entry into Hamburg involved weird tunnel with car lifts and much ducking and weaving past construction works etc. Hotel in Hamburg again by train station but much more laid back with bars and restaurants nearby.

Another day of cycling in Germany tomorrow, then it’s on to Denmark – the final country before Norway.

I will be braving hills, rain, wind, punctures, sore muscles etc so please make it worth my while by sponsoring me as generously as you can afford.

Today’s ride covered 75 miles with 871 feet of climbs.

Final tally 73.72 miles in 6 hours 22 minutes.

My route today was mostly quite pleasant although nothing outstanding. Some road riding today where cycle paths stop which makes me feel slightly vulnerable now even though the roads are quiet. Amazing how quickly you take good cycle paths for granted and I will miss them back in the UK.

So far Belgium still top of my list for best place to cycle for good scenery etc.

Note to bikeroutetoaster: another ‘short cut’ today was unrideable – you cannot cycle across sand! Fortunately short and walkable although always causes me anxiety in case ‘off road’ parts might stretch for miles.

Managed a quick coffee break today although later than I had hoped. Arrived Bremen in good time. Area of hotel seems to have a lot of, err, independent cinemas which is surprising in this age of the Internet.

So glad to have arrived early to avoid the worst of the wildlife. Hostel tonight – basic but more than adequate and cycle friendly.

Slept long and soundly apart from what I presume was football-related shouting and some nearby noisy residents.

Increasingly being taunted by a ‘virtual partner’ on the Garmin Edge gps navigation device. Trying to ignore (didn’t get to that bit in the manual) but he keeps showing up on my map. Hangs with me for a bit then speeds off as soon as I hesitate at a junction. Then announces arrival at my destination ahead of me with great fanfare, telling me just how much longer it’s going to take me, THE LOSER.

Did I mention merino wool? It’s amazing. Wicks moisture very well, keeps you both cool and warm as you need, and is naturally antiseptic so it kills the bacteria that makes your clothes smell after exercise.

I have vests, tops and socks made of merino.

But only so many and there’s probably a limit to the number of times I can re-wear.

Which means hand washing and drying by any means possible looms. Hot towel rails not so common so far. Hair driers? Hoist up a pole attached to the rear of the bike?

Bad news
My brother texted today. He has GIST cancer which has spread to his liver. The radioblation (targeted microwaves) the surgeons tried a few months ago on his biggest liver tumour has failed. And now there are new, growing ones. Doctors do not want to try the procedure again.

I will be braving hills, rain, wind, punctures, sore muscles etc so please make it worth my while by sponsoring me as generously as you can afford.

Today’s ride covered 68 miles with 347 feet of climbs.

Well, actually in the end it was 71 miles which I completed in 6 hours 54 minutes.

Got off to a later start than intended thanks to ferry delays. That was particularly galling as I got up at 5am and then had to stand in a queue of cars for a couple of hours in a freezing wind.

Took a while to get my bearings in Calais. I have pre-stored my routes on a Garmin Edge 800 and when you ask it to navigate to the start of the course it never actually believes you are there – telling you to go around in circles if you are not careful (my normal behaviour in cities).

Route out of Calais flat and straight with a tail wind. If it had been like that all the way I would have made short work of the journey. Unfortunately cities in the way slowed me down, especially Dunkerque which has an insane cycle route system.

French and Belgian drivers are noticeably more considerate than English drivers. One couple even stopped to point out to me that cycling the dual carriage way I was on was a bit unnecessarily dangerous given there was a perfectly adequate (hidden) cycle path by the side of the opposite carriage way. I was very grateful for that.

Belgium has amazing cycle paths and was a lot easier to navigate even in the cities. Bikeroutetoaster nonetheless threw in some surprises with an off-road route through some sand dunes (a crested newt sanctuary) and a hairy ride on a muddy path by a canal.

But, quick as they are, long, straight flat roads can get interminably dull. That, combined with stupidly not eating enough during the day, meant the last 10 miles were a slog.

Refreshed myself in Brugge old town with some traditional fayre, stocked up on sweet snacks (nougat and sugared almonds) for the next leg and then headed back for an early night at the B&B.